Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen won the Sinopec Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai today, even as Championship leader Lewis Hamilton retired. McLaren's Fernando Alonso finished second and Felipe Massa brought home the Ferrari in third.
Hamliton, starting the 2007 season's penultimate race on pole position was considerably quick and leading Raikkonen from start.The Brit looked poised to become the first rookie champion ever when he cruised into a comfortable lead from pole position at Shanghai. However, with his intermediate tyres almost bald, he lost the lead to Kimi Raikkonen and then failed to negotiate the pit-lane entry. Bereft of grip, his McLaren slithered off the track and was beached in the gravel trap just yards short of the tarmac.
There was an air of desperation in the team's garage a few hundred metres away, as the regulations stipulate that cars may not be pushed in the pit-lane.
There was an air of desperation in the team's garage a few hundred metres away, as the regulations stipulate that cars may not be pushed in the pit-lane.
From that point onwards the Finn never put a foot wrong, controlling his pace to take the chequered flag, 14th win of his career and the 200th win for Ferrari, ten seconds clear of Fernando Alonso. Raikkonen’s fifth win of the season moves him back into championship contention while Alonso’s runner up position moves him to within four points of Hamilton. Felipe Massa put in a late race change to finish in third position, just three second behind Alonso.
Only seven points separate the Championship contenders now with Hamilton on 107, Alonso on 103 and Raikkonen on 100. The season ending Brazilian grand prix promises to be a scorcher with all three drivers battling it out. Hamilton still has an upper hand, but with Formula One, you never know whats coming up next.
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